I think my book is finished. What Level of Editing Do I Need?
You've written your story. You've self-edited. You've worked with a developmental editor, or maybe you have an amazing writing community and beta readers who've helped you get the plot and overall structure where you want them. Now you need an editor for the detail work: to sort out sloppy sentences, clarify confusing passages, fix faulty punctuation, and weed out wandering dialogue (and maybe tone down your overenthusiastic alliteration). But who do you turn to, and what service do you ask for? Line editing, copyediting, proofreading—what's the difference?
Before we get into definitions, a caveat: Each of these terms can mean different things to different people. One person's light copyedit might be another person's proofread. One person's line edit might be another person's heavy copyedit or stylistic edit. Take this as a general guide, but always ask an editor for specifics and get a sample edit when you can, so you know you're on the same page.
Line Editing
Line editing addresses the stylistic elements of your writing at the sentence and paragraph level. This can include the rhythm and cadence of sentences, the tone and effectiveness of dialogue, and the pace and clarity of individual scenes. Line editing also looks for issues of repetition, overwriting, "telling" versus "showing," and point of view drops or "head hopping." It can help you identify ways to build suspense or improve descriptions. A line edit won't change your story, plot, or characters, but it will help ensure that your writing is clear, engaging, and effective.
A line edit can be done before or in conjunction with a copyedit. I usually do line- and copyediting together, as they’re complementary processes, but some editors prefer to tackle them separately.
CopyEditing
A copyedit is focused on the mechanics of your writing. Where a line edit addresses clarity and effectiveness, a copyedit addresses correctness and accuracy. Copyeditors will fix any issues in syntax, punctuation, grammar, spelling, and capitalization. They'll also fact-check, both for real-world facts (Does that tree really grow in Kansas? Would a horned grebe be on the lake in July? Who was the president in 1954?) and in-book facts. (Jubi's eyes were blue, not brown. Carmel was 5 in 1992, so he can't be 12 in 1998. She put heels on before dinner, when did she change into sneakers? According to Chapter 3, the time machine doesn’t work underwater.) A copyedit will save you from the types of errors that can muddle meaning, frustrate discerning readers, and inspire negative reviews.
Proofreading
When you think there's no more work to do, everything is perfect, and your book is ready to go out into the world, it's time for the final check: proofreading. Proofreaders are there to catch errors that have slipped through or been introduced by previous rounds of editing. Did a quite quiet typo pass everyone by unnoticed? Did long ours hours staring at the screen allow some homophones to slip through? Did the italics carry over to words they weren't intended for? Was a copied and pasted sentence copied and pasted where it should have been cut and pasted? Is a a simple word repeated where it straddled a line? Proofreaders check every word and punctuation mark to make sure everything is as it should be.
Traditionally, proofreaders work with galley proofs (thus the name) in PDF or hard copy form rather than with a manuscript in a Word or Google doc. This allows them to check for issues related to formatting—problems with indexes, page numbering, visual elements such as pictures and tables, and widows and orphans (a stranded first or last line of a paragraph that's all alone on a separate page from the rest of the paragraph). In self-publishing, though, proofreading often refers to a final manuscript check after copyediting and before formatting. Either way, the important thing to know is that proofreading is a last line of defense, not the only line of defense. The purpose of a proofread is to catch mistakes that slipped through or were introduced by earlier stages of editing.
Can I Hire One Editor to Do Everything?
Some levels of editing work well together and can be done in a single round of editing or in separate rounds by the same editor. Line editing is often combined with copyediting, and some developmental editors will also address issues of style that fall within line editing. However, one level that should never be combined is proofreading. Proofreading should always be done by someone new.
Just as your own errors can become invisible to you because of your familiarity with your own work, errors or missteps in the manuscript can be more easily overlooked by an editor who has already spent hours with your manuscript. Proofreaders bring a completely fresh set of eyes to the project, and won't be distracted by the story, tone, or style—they're completely focused on catching those sneaky mechanical or formatting errors that others have overlooked.
What’s Next?
Hopefully this has helped you to decide which level of editing you need. If you’re still not sure, an editor can help! Most editors offer free or low-cost sample edits, and as part of that they can help you determine which level of editing will most benefit your book. A sample edit can also help you see whether an editor’s style and process is the right fit for you.
Finally, don’t forget to congratulate yourself! Writing a book is no small feat, and you’re amazing for getting this far. Go out and find yourself a good editor so you can get your words out into the world!
If you’re searching for a line editor, copyeditor, or proofreader who respects your voice and will give your writing the polish it needs before publication, consider working with me! I offer a free sample edit with no strings attached, so you can get an idea for what I do and whether I’m the right fit for your writing. View my services or contact me for more information. 